Tim Sylvia Not Returning To UFC This Summer, Signs Other Fight

Tim Sylvia will make his return to the cage this September for NEF in Maine. Sylvia will face Christian Morecraft on September 6.

Sylvia (33-9) had been pushing to be signed by the UFC for a fight in August when the promotion heads to Maine for a Fight Night card. News of the Sylvia-Morecraft contest was first reported by Mass MMA.

“Sept 6th I will be back in Lewiston Maine fighting for the NEF for there belt,” Sylvia posted on Twitter. “So pumped to be fighting in Maine.”

The 38-year-old Sylvia was born in Maine but currently resides in Iowa. He twice held the UFC heavyweight title and is currently tied with Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez for most consecutive title defenses in promotion history at two.

However, he has not won a fight since a 2012 TKO over Randy Smith while competing for NEF. Since, he has lost three straight and had a no-contest with Andrei Arlovski. Back in 2006, Sylvia defeated Arlovski twice while both were fighting for the UFC.

Arlovski recently signed to return to the UFC, agreeing to meet Brendan Schaub later this year. That, along with news of heading to Maine, prompted Sylvia to ask for another shot in the promotion.

Morecraft (8-3) is also a former UFC fighter, going 1-3 with the promotion. Morecraft is coming off a submission win over the same fighter Sylvia last beat in September. He was finished by both Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione, and was released after being pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in 2012.

Sept 6th I will be back in Lewiston Maine fighting for NEF for there belt. So pumped to be fighting in Maine